PADUCAH, Ky. (8/20/14) — Paducah Water will close a portion of Ring Road around Kentucky Oaks Mall starting Monday, Aug. 25 for the relocation of water mains as part of the Olivet Church Road Improvement Project.

The water main relocation work includes the excavation and restoration of the roadway to install a 10” and a 12” water main within steel encasement. Paducah Water will begin staging materials and completing other preparatory work later this week.

The section of road that will be closed to through traffic is between Sears and the shopping center that contains Old Navy, Shoe Carnival, and other stores. Access to the businesses will be maintained throughout the construction; however, through traffic will not be allowed on a small section of Ring Road between Sears and Old Navy. Weather-permitting, the work will take two to three weeks for completion.

Earlier this summer Paducah Power System and the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency initiated their work to relocate utilities for the project.

The City of Paducah, McCracken County, and the State of Kentucky are working together to make major improvements along Olivet Church Road (Kentucky 998). The project involves the widening of Olivet Church Road to three lanes between U.S. 60 (Hinkleville Road) and James Sanders Boulevard. It also involves the construction of a new five-lane connector road that stretches from the U.S. 60/New Holt Road intersection northwest toward the existing Olivet Church Road. This new road will improve the configuration and safety of the busy intersection at U.S. 60/New Holt Road and improve access to the shopping facilities.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has allocated $2 million for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation which is underway. Roadway construction is expected to begin this fall; however, work will halt around the mall area from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 to accommodate the holiday traffic increase.

For more information about the Olivet Church Road Improvement Project, visit www.paducahky.gov.